I might be movin to Belgium!?

Question

Hi, can anyone tell me, whats the standard of living in Brussels, Is it ultra expenive, can u find a good place for 450 Euros for 1 person?

Is the food expenive, how much would a meal cost, drinks,!? please help!?

Answer 1

Indeed, 450€ won't be enough to find a good place in Brussels. You should either live in another city or try to find someone that rents out his flat for a short period when traveling or share a house/flat.

If living outside Brussels is an option I would recommend Leuven: it't only 15minutes by train, and it is a very safe city with lots of things going on (it's a student city).  Leuven even has an international housing services, but only for students (so you need to follow a course at the university,...why not Dutch/French...as you will need it if you live in Belgium).

Depending where you have to be in the daytime (work/school?) you might get there faster from Leuven than from Brussels

Answer 2

Here is the website of THE Brussels free newspaper giving all the details regarding renting or buying property in Brussels and anywhere else in Belgium ;

http://www.vlan.be

For that price, in a nice neighbourhood, you won't find much. Here is a list of some nice "communes" of Brussels where you have a lot of foreigners living - most are in the South of Brussels:

Downtown Brussel (D-F),

some areas in Etterbeek(D-F),

some areas of Schaerbeek(D-F),

IXelles(D-F) : very famous among young expats, Quartier Louise & Châtelain,

some areas of Saint-Gilles (D-F)

Forest (D-F),

Woluwé Saint Lambert(D-F) ,

Woluwé Saint Pierre (D),

Auderghem (D-F)

Stockel (D),

Watermael-Boitsfort (F)

about 30 minutes drive : Uccle & Waterloo (D-F)

This can give you a start on where to look and what the prices are in those areas.

D = Dutch speaking

F = French speaking

Keep in mind that, where there is only one language mentioned you'll get ALL your official papers in that language...no choice at all there...whereas, in the others, you can choose in which language you'll get your official papers.

To give you an idea: in Auderghem a very small flat  in perfect condition (2 rooms, bathroom, kitchen) was just rented out for 400 Euros/month + 20 Euros for water/month. Gas & electricity are paid separately by the tenant. This is an exception but it shows that it is still possible to find nice lodgings at reasonable prices.

Normally all the amenities are to be paid by the tenant (water, gaz & electricity) but none of them is very expensive.

Better to look for an apartment or a studio in a "maison de maître"or in a "maison uni-familiale"as we call them those are family homes that have been transformed into little apartments or studios. Some owners still have a rent including all amenities, although they are become a very rare breed, indeed. :-))

The big apartment buildings have a sup, lift, cleaner, etc.... and this costs more money and the tenants have to pay their share of those expenses.

You may still get lucky and find what you are looking for.

Food is quite expensive compared to other countries. Petrol too.

Also, house and car insurances are compulsory in Belgium.

Public transport in Brussels is quite good..... although some are always complaining. Complaining is like a national pastime but, really,  people do not mean anything by it. Transport is good and, generally speaking, quite ponctual.

Also, Brussels being a very small town, you can walk from downtown to uptown without any problem. It really is a "Walking City".

Here are some websites about Brussels. It may give you some insight into the "entertainment" prices :

e-brussels.website

http://www.europeanexplorer.com-belgium

I hope this helps.